Trolley for transporting materials on seamed roofs

ABSTRACT

Trolley for transporting materials that traverses seams and stepped sections of a roof includes a bed mounted on aligned frames that house wheels. Once positioned on the roof seams, roofing materials are hoisted onto the trolley for positioning where the materials are needed. The trolley may include a brake.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical panel roofing consists of successive metallic sheets of panelinglaid side-by-side to form a roofing cover. Each roofing panel is formedby a panel producing machine from metal sheet stock, typically fed froma roll of sheet metal. Forming each panel can include molding ribs downthe panel length and forming both lengthwise edges of each panel toenable a mating fit between the abutting lengthwise edges of adjacentpanels. Clips interleaved between the adjacent panel edges affix thepanels to the roof surface.

Some panel roofs are constructed with panels spanning the width of theroof to eliminate perpendicular seams that have compromisedweather-tight integrity. However, with the advent of the Butler MR-24®Roof System, a seaming machine called a Roof Runner®, shown in U.S. Pat.No. 3,120,828, issued Feb. 11, 1964, to S. O. Grönlund, for Roof SeamingMachine, can seam the panels with water-tight integrity. This relievesroofers from having to produce and manipulate large, unwieldy panelson-site to provide a weather-impervious roofing cover.

Prior to installation of panel roofing, the panels must be hoisted toroof level for installation. Once on the roof, the panels then must betransported to a desired position on the roof. If the roof is large,roofers may need to transport the individual panels over substantialdistances, including stepped up sections, as described below.

Some current roofing material carriers rely on extraneous guides orrails. See, for example: U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,526, issued Oct. 20, 1987,to M. F. McGuinness, for Roofing Shingle Separating and Laying Machine;U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,606, issued Nov. 22, 1988, to R. P. Burton, forMechanized Roof Laying System; U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,257, issued Mar. 30,1993, to R. J. Nietling, for Apparatus for Applying Shingles to a Roof;and U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,103, issued Apr. 27, 1993, to R. P. Burton, forShingle Laying Apparatus. However, installing the extraneous guides orrails adds more tasks to an already laborious process.

Particularly large surfaces ordinarily are not roofed in a generallycontinuous, or single-level, surface to avoid the deleterious effects ofthermal expansion naturally occurring in the individual roofing panels.That is, over large surfaces, individual roofing panels expand orcontract, depending on weather and sun conditions, which may weakeninter-panel seams or even create gaps and expose the building andoccupants thereof. Stepping roof sections, or elevating one sectionrelative to an adjacent section by several inches, eliminates thisexposure potential. However, stepping a roof renders material transportmore problematic because roofers need to lift the heavy, elongatedroofing materials over the step between adjacent sections in acoordinated fashion.

Conventional stackable trolleys are well known. See, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 3,523,694, issued Aug. 11, 1970, to E. J. Oliver, forDismantleable Merchandising Rack; U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,921, issued Sep.28, 1971, to J. D. Wilson, for Dolly; U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,540, issuedJan. 27, 1998, to E. M. G. Nesting, for Roller Carriage Having SwingableWheels; U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,720, issued Jun. 27, 2000, to K. J. Spear etal., for Portable Stackable Wagon Assembly; U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,152,issued Jul. 10, 2001, to C. Liu, for Structure of Pallet for StackingPallets with Wheels. However, known stackable trolleys are designed tomaintain relative positioning among stacked trolleys, not allow formovement of superposed trolleys.

What is needed, and not taught or suggested in the art, is a trolley fortransporting materials that traverses seams and stepped sections of aroof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail below with reference to thefollowing figures, throughout which similar reference characters denotecorresponding features consistently, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of an embodiment of atrolley for transporting materials constructed according to principlesof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom front right perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an is an environmental perspective view of another embodimentof a trolley for transporting materials constructed according toprinciples of the invention on the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of another embodiment of atrolley for transporting materials constructed according to principlesof the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged environmental perspective view of a portion of theembodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an environmental perspective view of another embodiment of atrolley for transporting materials constructed according to principlesof the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged environmental front view of a portion of theembodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged environmental side view of the portion of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment constructed according to principlesof the invention is a trolley 100 for transporting materials thattraverses seams S of a roof R. Trolley 100 has a bed 105 mounted onaligned frames 110 that house wheels 115. Once trolley 100 is positionedon seams S, roofing materials (not shown) are hoisted onto trolley 100for transportation to where the materials are needed.

As viewed along direction A, bed 105 defines a box section 120. Boxsection 120 provides lateral structural integrity while minimizingweight. This lightweight construction allows roofers to move trolley 100readily to and among seams S of roof R and, once located on roof R,hoist significant amounts of roofing material thereon. To aid in movingtrolley 100 to roof R and/or among seams S thereof, bed 105 has ahandhold 117 configured to receive a roofer's hand for lifting andmoving trolley 100. Referring also to FIG. 2, the underside of boxsection 120 may include one or more ribs 125 to enhance structuralintegrity. Bed 105 has horizontal flanges 123 for mating with frames110.

Each frame 110 includes symmetrically disposed L-shaped brackets 130,each having a horizontal flange 135 and a vertical flange 140.Horizontal flanges 135 mate with and may be welded or otherwise fixed tohorizontal flanges 123 of bed 120. Vertical flanges 140 a and 140 b eachhave a plurality of throughbores (not shown) that are in registry forreceiving a like number of axles 145. A nut 150 retains each axle 145 ineach bracket 130.

Referring to FIG. 2, wheels 115 are rotatingly disposed on each axle145. Each wheel 115 has a peripheral groove 155. Groove 155 isconfigured to receive and readily roll on roof, guided by seam S, asshown in FIG. 1. Each wheel 115 also may have a peripheral tractionelement 160, such as a tread, knurling or the like.

Frames 110 a and 110 b are arranged so that the lateral spacing 165between grooves 155 a and 155 b corresponds to the spacing between seamsS, known as seam-to-seam pitch. When constructing standing seam roofsfrom prefabricated roof panels, this seam-to-seam pitch is fixed orconsistent everywhere on the roof, except for unintended minor localizedvariations. Lateral spacing 165 of wheels 115 allows trolley 100 to ridealong seams S along an entire roof width.

Referring to FIG. 3, in addition to accessing the entire width of asingle-level roof R, that is, a section of roof R defining asubstantially continuous surface, another embodiment constructedaccording to principles of the invention is a trolley 600 that providesfor moving materials to roof sections of different levels to accessstepped-up sections of roof R. Trolley 600 is largely identical totrolley 100, except that trolley 600 includes a deck 603 mounted onframes 610 with threaded fasteners 613 or in any conventional manner.Deck 603 is constructed from heavy gauge or enhanced-strength materialto support, for example, trolley 100 and materials loaded thereon.

On top of deck 603 are two simulated seams 617, which are configured,positioned and aligned similar to seams in a seamed roof. The height 670of deck 603, vertical spacing 675 between flange 635 and axle 645, andthe size of wheel 615, which determines the clearance 680 between roofRb and frame 610, are configured to provide an overall trolley height685, as shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to the step up 190 betweenstepped adjacent roofing sections Ra, Rb. Trolley 600 may include amechanism for adjusting height 685.

In practice, when moving materials between stepped sections Ra, Rb ofroof R, a trolley 100 is positioned on a trolley 600. Trolley 100 may bepinned or otherwise impermanently fixed to trolley 600 prior toreceiving materials thereon. Once loaded with materials, roofers mayroll trolley 600 along seam Sb with trolley 100 and materials firmlysecured thereon. Upon reaching the step U between section Ra and sectionRb, trolley 100 is disconnected from trolley 600. Trolley 100 then maybe rolled onto seam Sa along with the materials.

Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment constructed according toprinciples of the invention is a trolley 400 that is largely identicalto trolley 100, except that trolley 400 includes a brake 500. Brake 500includes two handles 505 interconnected with a rod 510. Referring alsoto FIG. 5, rod 510 is fixed to an arm 515 to which is removeablyattached a brake pad 520. Rod 510 is normally biased to urge arm 515 andbrake pad 520 against roof R with enough friction to produce sufficientbraking force to slow or prevent trolley motion, as shown in FIG. 4.This safety feature significantly reduces job site accidents andinjuries.

Referring to FIG. 5, rod 510 is received through registered throughbores443 in each vertical flange 440 of frame 410. A shouldered bushing 447may be employed in outer flanges 440 a for closer tolerances between rod510 and outer flanges 440 a. Arm 515 has an adjustable collar 453 forfrictionally engaging rod 510. A coil spring 560 has one end (not shown)fixed relative to rod 510 with an adjustable collar 565 and another end(not shown) fixed relative to frame 410.

A knuckle 570 is fixed at an orientation on rod 510 so that when handle505 is generally vertical, knuckle 570 contacts frame 410 fortransferring force exerted against handle 505 to frame 410, henceagainst trolley 400, and thereby provide motive force to move trolley400 as desired. Thus, to move trolley 400, a roofer first must rotateeither or both handle(s) 505 to distance brake pad 520 from roof R,allowing trolley 400 to move. The roofer then may use handle(s) 505 topush trolley 400 along roof R.

Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment constructed according toprinciples of the invention is a trolley 200 that is largely identicalto trolley 100, except that trolley 200 includes a brake 300.Preferably, brake 300 is mounted on one of the frames 210 to which thewheels 215 are mounted. Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 8, brake 300includes a handle 305 for rotating a rod 310 to drive a pin 315 andbrake pads 320 mounted thereon against roof R. As with brake 500, brake300 is normally biased into a brake position, whereby pin 315 urgesbrake pads 320 against roof R with enough friction to produce sufficientbraking force to slow or prevent trolley motion, as shown in FIG. 6.

Handle 305 is rotatingly mounted on trolley 200 about a pivot pin 325,while handle 307 is mounted on frame 210. Handle 305 drives rod 310 viaa lever 317 extending from rod 310. Rod 310 is rotatingly connected totrolley 200 via journals 333, 335 and 340. Rod 310 is drivinglyconnected to pin 315 via a yoke-and-pin cantilever 330.

Pin 315 is slidingly mounted on trolley 200 via a spring-loaded cylinder350, which is comparable to a conventional shock absorber. Pin 315engages a coil spring (not shown) that abuts an end of cylinder 350 andnormally urges pin 315 toward roof R. When pin 315 is drawn away fromroof R, spring force increases, either in tension or compression, urgingpin 315 to return to the normally-braked position. Pin 315 has a padholder 345 welded or otherwise fixed thereto onto which pads 320 aremounted in a conventional manner.

The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments describedherein, rather only to the appended claims.

1. A trolley for transporting materials on a roof having standing seamscomprising: a bed; and a wheel fixed relative to said bed configured toroll on the roof guided by a seam therein.
 2. The trolley of claim 1,wherein said bed has a box-shaped cross-section.
 3. The trolley of claim1, further comprising a rib mounted on said bed.
 4. The trolley of claim1, further comprising a deck fixed relative to said wheel; wherein: theroof comprises: a first section; and a second section; and when saidtrolley is disposed on the second section, said deck is alignable withthe first section.
 5. The trolley of claim 4, further comprising asimulated roof seam mounted on said deck.
 6. The trolley of claim 5,wherein: the first section includes a first seam therein; and when saidtrolley is disposed on the second section, said simulated roof seam isalignable with the first seam.
 7. The trolley of claim 1, furthercomprising a frame interposed between said bed and said wheel.
 8. Thetrolley of claim 1, wherein said wheel has an annular recess forreceiving the seam.
 9. The trolley of claim 1, further comprising asecond wheel fixed relative to said bed configured to roll on the roofguided by the seam.
 10. The trolley of claim 9, wherein said wheel andsaid second wheel are oriented to be guided by a single seam.
 11. Thetrolley of claim 9, wherein said wheel and said second wheel areoriented to be guided by aligned seams.
 12. A trolley for transportingmaterials on a roof comprising: a bed; a wheel fixed relative to saidbed configured to roll on the roof; and a brake fixed relative to saidbed configured to frictionally engage the roof.
 13. The trolley of claim12, further comprising a deck fixed relative to said wheel; wherein: theroof comprises: a first section; and a second section; and when saidtrolley is disposed on the second section, said deck is alignable withthe first section.
 14. The trolley of claim 13, further comprising asimulated roof seam mounted on said deck.
 15. The trolley of claim 14,wherein: the first section includes a first seam therein; and when saidtrolley is disposed on the second section, said simulated roof seam isalignable with the first seam.
 16. The trolley of claim 12, furthercomprising a frame interposed among said bed, said wheel and said brake.17. The trolley of claim 12, wherein said wheel is configured to beguided by a seam in the roof.
 18. The trolley of claim 12, wherein saidwheel has an annular recess for receiving a seam in the roof.
 19. Thetrolley of claim 12, wherein said brake is biased toward contacting theroof.
 20. The trolley of claim 12, wherein said brake is configured tocontact the roof proximate to more than one seam in the roof.
 21. Thetrolley of claim 12, further comprising a handle for releasing saidbrake.
 22. The trolley of claim 21, wherein said handle may bearticulated into a position for moving said trolley relative to theroof.
 23. The trolley of claim 21, wherein said brake comprises: a rodoperably connected to said handle; a pin operably connected to said rod;and a brake pad fixed relative to said pin; whereby articulating saidhandle rotates said rod and moves said pin and said brake pad relativeto the roof.
 24. The trolley of claim 23, said brake further comprisinga knuckle fixed relative to said rod; whereby said handle may bearticulated to drive said knuckle against said trolley to move saidtrolley relative to the roof.
 25. The trolley of claim 21, furthercomprising a second handle fixed relative to said handle.
 26. Thetrolley of claim 21, further comprising a second handle fixed relativeto said trolley.